Golf flagstick device for determining a gimme putt

ABSTRACT

A golf flagstick device determines whether a golf ball has come to rest within a fixed distance of a golf hole such that a player is awarded a gimme putt. The device includes a sensor to detect whether a golf ball is near a golf hole. In operation, the device creates a visible perimeter surrounding the golf cup and measures the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup. The device can also record and detect other information related to pace of play and player activity on and around the putting green.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present invention claims the benefit of the U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/980,872, filed on 24 Feb. 2020 and entitled GOLF FLAGSTICKDEVICE FOR DETERMINING A GIMME PUTT.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments of the invention relate to golf accessories.More particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices that candetermine whether a player's ball is within a gimme zone and to devicesthat record information regarding activity on and surrounding a puttinggreen.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In a casual game of golf for fun and entertainment, a group can agreethat a putt that places a golf ball close enough to a hole does not needto be played. This is known as a “gimme” or “gimme putt”. A “gimme” inthe game of golf is a short putt that is conceded by a golfer'scompetition or playing companions because the putt is close enough tothe hole that the probability of the golfer missing the shot isextremely low. When a gimme is awarded, the player can pick up the balland add a stroke to their score without actually putting the ball intothe hole.

Playing a round of golf that allows gimmes has the advantage ofincreasing the speed of play since fewer putts will need to be made. Itcan also make the game easier and less stressful for players.Additionally, the wear and tear on the edge or lip of the golf hole orgolf cup is significantly decreased since fewer players will putt theball into the hole.

However, one problem with players awarding a gimme is that it can bevery difficult to stay consistent and unbiased in determining whichputts are an acceptable gimme. The distance from the hole or the size ofa notional circle surrounding a hole (the “gimme zone”) for a gimme canvary. For example, some groups agree that a ball is within the gimmezone if it is “inside the leather” of a putter (i.e. the ball must becloser to the hole than the distance from the head of the putter to thebottom edge of the grip of the putter). However, such a measurement canvary depending on the length of the putter and the grip.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,699, issued to Falls, discloses an elongated andrigid device that may be placed on a putting green to determine if aball is within the gimme zone. In use, the device extends from the golfhole to the golf ball to be putted. Players may then determine whetherthe ball is within a gimme zone based on the markings on the device.However, players may find it inconvenient to carry and share such adevice on a course. Players may also find it tedious and cumbersome touse the device to measure a distance since players will need to bendover and carefully place the device between their ball and the hole.

Currently, the applicant believes there are no invention that determinesthe gimme zone and does not need to be carried by players from hole tohole. While there are a number of benefits and advantages for allowing,and even encouraging, gimme putts in the game of golf, the lack ofstandardization and an appropriate device has prevented more frequentuses of gimme putts in recreational and competitive rounds of golf. Inthis sense, the game lacks a standardized means of determining when agimme putt should be awarded to players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to golf accessory devices formeasuring and reporting information on a golf green for determining agimme putt within a game of golf and the method of using the devices, asset forth in or otherwise apparent from the description and drawingsthat follow, and that which is learned by the practice of the subjectmatter disclosed herein.

In one broad aspect of the invention a device for visibly delineating agimme zone surrounding a golf cup where said device comprises a body andone or more light projectors on said body for projecting a visibleperimeter delineating a gimme zone.

The invention also discloses a method of determining whether a golf ballis within a pre-determined gimme zone where said method comprisesproviding a device for indicating whether a golf ball is within a gimmezone. The device comprises a body, one or more light projectors, asensor on said body. The said device detects golf balls, activates lightprojectors and assesses whether golf balls are within the gimme zone.

The foregoing may cover only some of the aspects of the invention. Otherand sometimes more particular aspects of the invention will beappreciated by reference to the following description of at least onepreferred mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or moreexamples. The following mode(s) for carrying out the invention are not adefinition of the invention itself but are only example(s) that embodythe inventive features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

At least one mode for carrying out the invention in terms of one or moreexamples will be described by reference to the drawings thereof inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective of an embodiment of the inventionillustrating a putting green showing a golf flagstick device attached toa golf flagstick;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the golf flagstick device shownin FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 1 shining light onto the putting green indicating thegimme zone;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention witha mirror on the golf flagstick and a light projector inside the golfcup;

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the embodiment of the device shown inFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionwith a display;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionwith a display and a speaker;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionwith two displays and a speaker;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionwith two displays, a speaker and buttons;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process ofindicating whether a golf ball is within a gimme zone and communicatingthe information to the player;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the inventionwith cameras;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the embodiment of the inventionshown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention witha transmitter;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention witha solar panel on the top surface of the device;

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention witha solar panel on the golf flagstick;

FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the invention witha solar panel as the flag on the golf flagstick;

FIG. 18 is top perspective of an embodiment of the invention where thedevice is embedded onto a golf flagstick with an automatic ball elevatorin the cup; and

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of determining whether aball is close enough to a golf cup to award a gimme.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device that enables players to confirmthrough any means of communication, with accuracy and consistency,whether a putt is an acceptable gimme. The device can be permanentlyattached or removably attachable to a golf flagstick.

With reference to FIG. 1, a top perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention is shown. In this embodiment, a device 100 is removablyattachable to a golf flagstick 110 on a putting green 120. The golfflagstick 110 is shown as standing upright above the golf cup 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, the device 100 can comprise a body 201, sensors 210and light projectors 200. As shown, the device 100 can contain at leastone light projector 200 adjacent to or on a bottom surface 220 of thebody 201. The light projectors 200 can be lasers fixed adjacent or onthe bottom surface 220 of the body 201 in a circular or circumferentialarrangement. As shown in FIG. 4, the light projectors 200 project light400 onto the golf green 120 to project a visible perimeter delineating agimme zone 410. It will be appreciated that other types of lightprojectors can be used. For instance, in an embodiment, light projectors200 can be one or more ultraviolet lamps that cause a golf ball to glow,and on artificial grass, that can cause a portion of the artificialgrass to glow.

Sensors 210 can be an optical sensor, a motion detector, a passiveinfrared sensor, a lidar transceiver, a camera, an active sonartransceiver, an RFID reader (for golf balls with a passive RFID tag), ametal detector (for golf balls that include an electrically conductivematerial), or any other type of sensor that is capable of detecting agolf ball or the motion of a golf ball. Preferably, the sensors 210electrically or wirelessly turn on the light projectors 200 when a ballis sensed or motion is sensed within a threshold distance from the golfcup 130. In an embodiment, the threshold distance can be 4 feet of thegolf cup 130, or another distance that can be customizable by each groupof players putting on that green.

In one embodiment of the invention, when a ball or the motion of a ballis detected within the range of the sensors 210, for example within 4feet of the golf cup 130, the sensors cause the light projectors 200 toturn on. As shown in FIG. 4, this produces a visible perimeterdelineating the gimme zone 410. The light projectors 200 can then stayon for a fixed interval of time, such as 10 seconds, after it istriggered to turn on by the sensor 210. Automatically switching off thelight projectors 200 after a fixed interval conserves battery power.

Light projectors 200 and sensors 210 are preferably powered by one ormore batteries (not shown) within the device 100. It will be appreciatedthat a variety of batteries can be used, including 3.7-volt batteriesthat are common and widely available. In other embodiments, other typesof batteries can be used.

With reference to FIG. 3, the body 201 can comprise two components, afront component 310 and a rear component 320. The two components are ameans for attaching the body 201 to the golf flagstick 110. The golfflagstick 110 can be slid through a channel 330 between the frontcomponent 310 and the rear component 320 and adjusted to a desired spoton the golf flagstick 110. Then, the rear component 320 can be connectedto the front component 310 to lock the body 201 into place on the golfflagstick 100. In an embodiment, the device 100 can also comprisecouplings 300 that can be slid over the golf flagstick 110. Thecouplings 300 are used to alter the thickness of the golf flagstick 110so that the body 201 can attach to golf flagsticks 110 of varyingthickness.

In other embodiments of the invention, means can be provided to lock thedevice 100 to the golf flagstick 110 to prevent theft. For instance,locking prongs can be attached to the side, top or bottom surfaces ofthe front 310 and rear 320 components. When the two components areconnected, locking prongs can extend over to the other component andlock the two components in place on the golf flagstick 110.

As shown in FIG. 4, the device 100 projects light 400 onto the puttinggreen 120 indicating a gimme zone 410 around the golf cup 130. The sizeof the gimme zone 410 can be fixed or adjustable by altering an angle atwhich the light projectors 200 project light 400 onto the putting green120. In other embodiments, players can control the angle to alter thesize of the gimme zone 410 to customize the gimme zone for their styleof game play. In additional embodiments, the device 100 canautomatically adjust the gimme zone 410 according to players' inputtingtheir preferred gimme zone 410 size.

In other embodiments, the device 100 can comprise multiple sets of lightprojectors 200 where each set of light projectors 200 is set at aspecific angle and is capable of projecting a different sized gimme zone410. In such embodiment, players can control the size of the gimme zone410 by choosing the set of light projectors 200.

With reference to FIG. 5, in another embodiment of the invention, thedevice 100 can comprise a mirror 500 that is attached to the golfflagstick 110 above the golf cup 130. The mirror 500 can be permanentlyattached or removably attachable to the golf flagstick 110 between thedevice 110 and the golf cup 130. In this embodiment, a light projector600 can be positioned inside the golf cup 130 and project light 200 ontothe mirror 500, which reflects the light to project the gimme grid 510onto the putting green 120. The angle of the mirror 500 can be adjustedto alter the size of the gimme grid 510.

With reference to FIG. 6, a light projector 600 can be inside the golfcup 130. The light projector 600 can project light 400 onto the mirror500, which reflects the light 400 onto putting green 120 to form thegimme grid 510.

With reference to FIG. 7, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, the light projectors 200 and a display 700. The display 700can be used as a means for communicating to players when the sensordetects the presence of a golf ball or players on the putting green. Thedisplay 700 can be on a lateral surface 710 of the body 201 and can beused to communicate to players by indicating whether a golf ball iswithin the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the device 100 can further comprise a processor1100 that is connected to the sensors 210 and the display 700. When thesensors 210 detect the presence of a golf ball within the gimme zone410, the sensors 210 relay the information to the processor 1100, whichtriggers the display 700 to visibly communicate the presence of the golfball inside the gimme zone 410 to players. For instance, the display 700can read “GIMME” in putting green 120 when a ball is determined to bewithin the gimme zone. In contrast, the display 700 can read “NO GIMME”in red if the golf ball is determined to be outside the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the sensors 210 can detect the presence of a golfball near or within the gimme zone 410 and the processor 1100 cancalculate the distance between a golf ball and the golf cup 130. Theprocessor 1100 can then trigger the display 700 to communicate thedistance to players. For instance, the display 700 can show thedistances of the golf balls surrounding the golf cup 130 in inches sothat players can play their own preferred gimme distance.

With reference to FIG. 8, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, light projectors 200, the display 700 and a speaker 800.The display 700 and the speaker 800 can be used as a means forcommunicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of a golfball or players on the putting green. The speaker 800 can be used toaurally communicate to players. When a golf ball's presence is detectedby the sensors 210, the speaker 800 can project sounds to communicate toplayers that the golf ball is inside the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the device 100 can comprise the sensors 210, thelight projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800 and a processor1100 that is connected to the sensor 210, the display 700, and thespeaker 800. When the sensor 210 detects the presence of a golf ballwithin the gimme zone 410, the sensor 210 relays the information to theprocessor 1100, which triggers the display 700 and the speaker 800 tocommunicate the presence of the golf ball inside the gimme zone 410 toplayers. For instance, the display 700 can read “GIMME” in green and thespeaker 800 can play the sound of a golf ball dropping in a hole when aball is determined to be within the gimme zone. In contrast, the display700 can read “NO GIMME” in red and the speaker 800 can play a recordingof someone saying “No gimme, putt again” if the golf ball is determinedto be outside the gimme zone.

With reference to FIG. 9, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800,the processor 1100 and a secondary display 900. The secondary display900 can be used to communicate to players additional informationincluding, but not limited to, the size of the gimme zone 410, batterylife, time, temperature, wind levels, hole number, par and pace of playinformation.

With reference to FIG. 10, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800,the processor 1100, the secondary display 900 and buttons 1000. Thebuttons 1000 can control the entire device 100 or of individualcomponents such as the sensor 210, the display 700, the speaker 800 andthe secondary display 900.

In other embodiments, the button 1000 can also control the ON/OFF of thelight projectors 200. When such button 1000 is pressed or activated by aplayer, the light projectors 200 turn on and project light 400 downwardstoward the putting green 120 to create a visible perimeter delineatingthe gimme zone 410. Once the gimme zone 410 is visible to the player,the player can easily and quickly determine whether a golf ball lieswithin the gimme zone 410. The light projectors 200 can then remainactivated for a fixed interval of time, such as 10 seconds. The lightprojector button can alternatively be pressed again to manually turn offlight projectors 200 if the player is ready to putt and wants to do sowithout light 210 shining down and producing the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the button 1000 can also control the ON/OFF of thesensors 210. For instance, when the sensor button is turned to the offposition, the sensors 210 will not be powered and therefore will notdetect motion or the presence of a golf ball. Accordingly, lightprojectors 200 will not automatically turn on when the golf ball isputted close to the golf cup 130. In such cases, players can utilize thedevice 100 by pressing the sensor button. Doing so will turn on thelight projectors 200 to produce a visual gimme zone 410 around the golfcup 130. Once again, the light projectors 200 can then remain on for afixed interval of time, such as 10 seconds. The sensor button canalternatively be pressed again to manually turn off light projectors 200if a player is ready to putt and wants to do so without the light 400shining down and producing the gimme zone 410.

In other embodiments, the buttons 1000 can also control the speaker 800to play sound effects during gameplay. For instance, once a player hasclearly identified that his or her golf ball has come to a rest withingimme zone 410, the player can press a sound effect button and pick uphis or her ball. Pressing the sound effect button can produce a verysatisfying sound of a golf ball falling into a cup over the speaker 800.

In other embodiments, the buttons 1000 can also control informationshown on the display 700. For instance, buttons 1000 can control thedisplay of information including, but not limited to, battery life,time, temperature, wind levels, hole number, par and pace of playinformation.

With reference to FIG. 11, the device 100 can comprise sensors 210connected to a processor 1100. The sensors 210 can be fixed adjacent oron the bottom surface 220 of the body 201 orientated downwards such thatwhen the device 100 is attached to a golf flagstick 110 (shown in FIG.2), the sensors 210 can detect the presence of a golf ball on theputting green 120. Sensors 210 can be an optical sensor. The device 100can further comprise a transmitter 1110, which can communicate viacellular communication, global positioning system, WiFi, Bluetooth,RFID, or any other type of transmission that is capable of wirelesscommunication. The processor 1100 can relay information from the sensors210 to the transmitter 1110, which can relay the information to playersand golf course staff. The device 100 can further comprise the display700 and the speaker 800, which can be connected to the processor 1100 toprovide a visual and aural indication as to whether a golf ball iswithin the gimme zone 410.

With reference to FIG. 12, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800,the processor 1100, the secondary display 900, the buttons 1000 andcameras 1200. The device can comprise more than one camera to increasethe view surrounding the golf flagstick 110. In this embodiment, thecameras 1200 can be positioned on the exterior side walls of the body201 to capture a 360 degree view of the putting surface outside thegimme zone 410. One benefit of this would be for the players to receiveadvanced putting stats. The cameras 1200 can have a wide angle lens orany other lens necessary to capture a wide view surrounding the device100. The cameras 1200 can also be connected to a processor 1100 and adata storage unit (not shown). The cameras 1200 can be used to detectpresence of players on the putting green 120, and such detection canturn on the sensors 210. The cameras 1200 can record and collectadditional security data to prevent vandalism and records additionalinformation such as pace of play and closest to the pin indication.

With reference to FIG. 13, the cameras 1200 capture a camera view 1300surrounding the device 100. In other embodiments, there can beadditional cameras 1200 or wider lenses to capture a wider camera view1300 surrounding the device 100. The device 100 can store the recordedcamera view 1300 and can provide additional security to preventvandalism. The camera view 1300 can also be used to provide informationregarding activity on the green and pace of play data.

With reference to FIG. 14, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800,the processor 1100, the buttons 1000, cameras 120 and a transmitter1110. The transmitter 1110 is attached to the top surface 1410 of thebody 201. The transmitter 1110 can communicate via cellularcommunication, global positioning system, WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, or anyother type of transmission that is capable of wireless communication.The device 100 can relay information including, but not limited to, puttstatistics, pace of play data, security or vandalism recordings, andgolf ball distance to the golf cup to golfers and golf course staff viathe transmitter 1110.

With reference to FIG. 15, the device 100 can comprise the body 201, thesensors 210, the light projectors 200, the display 700, the speaker 800,the processor 1100, the buttons 1000 and cameras 1200, the transmitter1110 and a solar panel 1500. The solar panel 1500 can be placed on thetop surface 1410 of the device 100 to maximize exposure to sunlight. Thesolar panel 1500 can charge batteries or other power sources in thedevice 100.

With reference to FIG. 16, the solar panel 1600 can be positioned at thetip of the golf flagstick 110 to maximize the surface area of sunlightexposure.

With reference to FIG. 17, the solar panel 1700 the solar panel 1600 canbe positioned as the flag on the golf flagstick 110.

In other embodiments of the invention, the device can comprise more thanone solar panel 1500 to maximize the power charge of the device 100.

With reference to FIG. 18, in another embodiment of the invention, adevice 1800 is permanently embedded to the golf flagstick 110. Thedevice 1800 can comprise the sensors 210, the light projectors 200, thedisplay 700, the speaker 800, the buttons 1000, the cameras 1200 and anautomatic ball elevator 1810. The automatic ball elevator 1810 isattached to the bottom of the flagstick 110 inside the golf cup 130. Theautomatic golf ball elevator 1810 can consist of a platform thatelevates the golf ball from inside the golf cup 130 to a pre-determinedheight above the ground on the golf flagstick 110. The automatic golfball elevator 1810 can be connected to the sensors 210 via the processor1100 such that when a golf ball is putted into the golf cup 130 and thesensors detect the golf ball inside the golf cup 130, the automatic golfball elevator 1810 elevates the golf ball on the golf flagstick 110 sothat a player can comfortably retrieve the ball without bending down andwithout potentially damaging the golf hole.

With reference to FIG. 19, the method of searching for a golf ball cancomprise providing the device 100 comprising the sensors 210, theprocessor 1100, and a means for communiting to players. The routinebegins with the sensors 210 passively searching for a golf ball.Alternatively, rather than actively running the routine, the routine canbegin only when a player commences it, such as by pressing the button1000 on the device 100.

If a golf ball is not present within the field of the sensors 210, thenthe sensors 210 continue to search for a golf ball. If a golf ball ispresent within the field of the sensors, then the processor 1100measures the distance X between the golf ball and the golf cup 130 usingthe information received from the sensor 210.

The device 100 can assess whether a golf ball is inside the gimme zone410 by comparing distance X to the gimme zone radius. The processor 1100can compare distance X to a pre-determined or selected gimme zoneradius. The desired gimme zone distance can be controlled and changedusing buttons 1000 on the device 100 or wirelessly by players or golfcourse staff.

Once the processor 1100 determines whether the golf ball is inside oroutside of the gimme zone 410, the processor 1100 can trigger thedisplay 700 and the speaker 800 to communicate whether the ball isinside or outside the gimme zone to the player. The processor can alsorelay the information to players wirelessly using the transmitter 1110.

In an additional method, sensor 210 searches for a golf ball. If thegolf ball is present within the range of the sensor 210, the processor1100 measures the distance X between the golf ball and golf cup. Oncemeasured, the processor 1100 causes the display 700 to show distance X.Players will then be able to easily and quickly read the distance on thedisplay to determine and decide whether a gimme should be awarded.

If more than one golf ball is present on the putting green 120 and morethan one golf ball is detected by the sensor 200, the processor 1100 canmeasure the distances between each golf ball and the golf cup and showeach of the measured distances on the display 700 and transmit thedistances wirelessly to each player.

In the foregoing description, exemplary modes for carrying out theinvention in terms of examples have been described. However, the scopeof the claims should not be limited by those examples but should begiven the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as awhole. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regardedin an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A device for visibly delineating a gimme zone surrounding a golf cupon a putting green, said device comprising: a body; at least one sensoron said body for detecting the presence of a golf ball or players on theputting green; and one or more light projectors on said body forprojecting a visible perimeter delineating the gimme zone.
 2. The deviceof claim 1 further comprising a means for attaching said body to a golfflagstick.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a button to turnon and control the device.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprisinga processor.
 5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means forcommunicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of thegolf ball or players on the putting green.
 6. The device of claim 1,further comprising a transmitter.
 7. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more cameras.
 8. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising one or more solar panels.
 9. The device of claim 2, furthercomprising a mechanism to lock the device onto the golf flagstick. 10.The device of claim 1, further comprising a golf flagstick and thedevice is permanently embedded onto the golf flagstick.
 11. The deviceof claim 2, further comprising an automatic golf ball elevator.
 12. Amethod of determining whether a golf ball is close enough to a golf cupto award a gimme, said method comprising the steps of: providing adevice for indicating whether a golf ball is within a gimme distancefrom a golf cup, said device comprising: at least one sensor fordetecting the presence of a golf ball; and a processor, pre-determininga gimme zone radius; detecting the presence of the golf ball on theputting green; measuring the distance between the golf ball and the golfcup; comparing said distance to the pre-determined or selected gimmezone radius; assessing whether the golf ball is within the gimme zone;and communicating to players whether the golf ball is inside or outsidethe gimme zone.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising measuringa distance of a plurality of golf balls located within the gimme zoneand comparing the distances between each of the plurality of golf balls.14. The method of claim 12, where said device further comprises aprocessor for determining whether the golf ball is within the gimme zoneand measuring the distance between the golf ball and the golf cup. 15.The method of claim 12, where said device further comprises a means forcommunicating to players when the sensor detects the presence of thegolf ball or players on the putting green and when the golf ball iswithin the gimme zone.